35: Fast shipping against the wind! The price is 600 million!

Nifeng Express required a maximum payload of no less than 1 ton and a flight range of no less than 2,000 kilometers when fully loaded.

The Twin-Tailed Scorpion commercial unmanned transport aircraft had a maximum payload of 3 tons and a fully loaded flight radius exceeding 3,500 kilometers.

Most importantly, its manufacturing cost was extremely low, with a unit price of only 4.5 million.

Lu Shenwei selected the drone and immediately called Wang Jiawei.

"General Manager Wang, based on your company's requirements, the R&D costs have been calculated: at least 400 million."

"400 million?"

"Don't think it's expensive; R&D is very money-consuming these days, and we can guarantee the completion of R&D within two years."

"I don't think it's expensive; it's actually too cheap. Will this amount of money be enough to develop a large-scale drone?"

Uh, he actually thinks it's cheap? Good thing I specially inflated the price to earn an extra 100 million from him.

"How about this, General Manager Wang? We'll hire more people to ensure the R&D is completed in a year and a half, and once the project enters production, we'll give your company 12 units for free. How does that sound?" Lu Shenwei said.

Wang Jiawei thought for a moment: "We want quality. I can provide 600 million for R&D, and you give me 20 units, but our procurement price cannot exceed 10% above the cost price."

General Manager Wang really knows how to do business; he's worthy of being the head of a company worth hundreds of billions.

"Deal!"

That evening, Lu Shenwei gathered all the senior management of the factory for a drone development seminar.

"Director Lu, whatever ideas you have, we will listen to you."

"Following Director Lu means we'll be living the good life."

Lu Shenwei raised his hand, and everyone sat up straight to listen.

"Our market share in the small drone market has already grown; it's time to pursue a broader sky!"

Ma Quanlin and Wang Zizhong looked at Lu Shenwei, waiting for what came next, while the people sitting around the conference room started whispering.

"Aren't state-owned factories the ones handling the large-scale drone market?"

"There aren't many commercial ones, and they don't make money."

Lu Shenwei scanned the crowd and said loudly: "After preliminary investigation, we have initially determined our research direction and partners."

"It is the top-tier domestic express delivery Group—Nifeng Express! The other party has already agreed to pay 600 million in R&D fees upfront, so everyone doesn't need to worry about money."

"600 million in R&D fees? Nifeng Express is really damn rich!"

"Director Lu, how do you want to handle this?"

"No matter what you want to do, we support you!"

"I volunteer to give up all my leave to work full-force on the large-scale drone R&D!"

Lu Shenwei smiled, but Ma Quanlin said worriedly: "Director Lu, we don't have much experience in developing large-scale drones."

"Don't worry, I have a plan for the R&D," Lu Shenwei said.

"Our team is mature; the only drawback is that there are too few people."

Now we need to expand the Longying Drone production line and also independently conduct R&D for large-scale commercial drones.

With just the current team, even if they were worked to death, it wouldn't be finished.

"So we need to start external hiring, recruiting from major universities across Dragon Xia, with a starting salary of 15,000."

As soon as Lu Shenwei finished speaking, a programmer raised his hand.

"Director Lu, I have several classmates working at research institutes; I can poach them."

"My advisor also has resources; I can recommend juniors to come over."

Everyone was excited, and Lu Shenwei said: "That's settled then. We'll recruit 100 people first: 30 through internal referrals and 70 through external hiring."

The next day, Julong Steel posted a recruitment notice on its official website, and the Qinchuan industrial circle was blown away.

[Lu Shenwei is being unreasonable. Offering 15,000 to fresh graduates—what is he thinking?]

[Julong Steel has money. Haven't you seen that the Longying Drone has sold out?]

[Just because you have money doesn't mean you spend it like that. Won't Director Ma say something to him?]

[Director Ma not only won't say anything, but he's also very supportive. After all, Director Lu has led Julong Steel to take off.]

The big shots in the Qinchuan industrial circle scoffed at Julong Steel's actions, while the industry, commerce, and tax authorities were happy to see it happen.

Early in the morning, Lu Shenwei received nearly a hundred resumes—from Qingbei, Shangjiao, Hada—he couldn't even get through them all.

"Director Lu, this is Bai Xiaoying."

"Longying Drone production is being ramped up; please don't rush the orders."

"It's not about the drones. My cousin studied mechanical processing and was wondering if he could join Julong Steel."

"Oh, is that it? Send the resume over, and I'll have Director Ma take a look."

"Director Lu is generous; check your email in a bit."

Bai Xiaoying hung up, and Lu Shenwei received another call from Zhou Wen.

"We had a good talk the other day. I see you've posted a recruitment notice on your official website."

"It's all thanks to Director Zhou. Without your introduction, how could we have established a relationship with Nifeng Express Group?"

"I won't mince words with you. My nephew studied electromechanical engineering; find a way to arrange something for him."

"Send the resume over in a bit, and I'll have Uncle Ma go through the motions."

"Many thanks. I'll find you for a drink later."

"Don't bother; find Uncle Ma for drinks. You can find me for business introductions."

Lu Shenwei laughed and hung up the phone. Afterward, three or five more acquaintances called to pull strings, and he accepted every single request.

Students coming to submit resumes at Julong Steel formed a line from the factory gate all the way to Erfu Street, a kilometer away.

Ma Quanlin smiled and said: "The last time I saw such a spectacle was back when our factory first opened in the last century."

"Don't worry, Uncle Ma, you'll get tired of seeing scenes like this in the future," Lu Shenwei said with a laugh.

Wang Zizhong said in a low voice: "Director Lu, do you think you could recruit a few mechanical engineering students for us too?"

"No problem, Uncle Wang. Do you have any other difficulties over there right now?"

"No major difficulties, just that the newly improved production line keeps having issues and needs more tuning."

Wang Zizhong was under immense pressure now; the drone team was shining brightly, their radiance almost overshadowing the steel pipe and gas cylinder production department.

Leading four hundred people every day, Wang Zizhong was so worried he couldn't sleep.

The Shanmao Tractor had been integrated into Julong Steel for over half a year, and not only had it achieved no results, but it had also spent over five million.

It was only because Lu Shenwei had high aspirations and didn't care about short-term gains and losses.

With an average boss, the entire production line would have been cut.

Beijing, Nifeng Express Group headquarters.

Wang Jiawei listened to his assistant's report and pondered: "Julong Steel is quite confident."

"General Manager Wang, are you really going to entrust them with the R&D of a large-scale unmanned transport aircraft?"

"What else? Other capable domestic enterprises are unwilling to take on our project, and besides, Julong Steel has agreed to sign a valuation adjustment mechanism agreement with us."

If Julong Steel fails to complete the drone R&D within two years, they will refund 70% of the R&D fees.

"Julong Steel has only recently undergone a transformation; their technical reserves are insufficient to support the R&D of a large-scale commercial unmanned transport aircraft," the assistant said worriedly.

Wang Jiawei explained: "It's not like we haven't looked for state-owned research institutes, but they quoted 1 billion and wouldn't take responsibility if the R&D failed. If it were you, how would you decide?"

Which is better and which is worse is clear; Wang Jiawei had no choice.